Saturday, November 30, 2013

I'm always adding to my gift guide and these are the things that I think would make a perfect gift for any gal! What are you getting for your best friend/sister/etc.? Check out my earlier post on great gifts for guys! Also check out my Black Friday and Cyber Monday post for discount codes! Have a fabulous day!

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Here's my comprehensive list of places to check out for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I'm not much of a Black Friday gal (and especially feel bad for those who have to work on Thanksgiving and well into the wee hours of the morning), but I'll gladly sit with my coffee and calmly shop the Cyber Monday sales!

Be sure to check out my Summer Wind Gift Guide. I've pinned over 300 items perfect for your mother, father, brother, sister, boyfriend, girlfriend, aunt, uncle, cousin, bff, etc. All of them are something that I would be happy to give or be happy to receive ;). Have a fabulous day and happy shopping!

I love love love ModCloth for dresses. They always have something perfect for any event and the prices are totally reasonable. Plus, I feel like many don't think to turn to ModCloth for dresses so I never see anyone with the same dress! Right now ModCloth has 50% off select items and I've picked my favorites. I may have even ordered a few for myself ;).

Scroll through the above widget to see my favorites and some of my commentary! Have a fabulous day!

I've received quite a few e-mails in regard to the plaid scarf photos I posted on Instagram. It is from Target, last year but Lord and Taylor has an almost identical version this year! Today only Lord and Taylor is offering 20% off regular and sale items using code THANKS and they also offer free shipping! Have a fabulous day!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Gents are hard to shop for. Sure, I could pick out a million and one things I like for guys, but for Christmas, I want to make sure I get something that they would choose for themselves.

Scroll through to see some of my favorite fool-proof gifts!

And more options because I can't resist. What are you getting the gents in your life? Do you have any great ideas? Check out my gift guide for even more ideas! Be sure to check out J. Crew Factory-- they are offering 50% off of everything and there are some perfect gifts for the guys. Yay!

Also, if you are in love with the Daniel Wellington watch as much as I am, a Summer Wind favorite, Country Squire Haberdashery (954-776-5940) has them for women!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

So you've got the perfect LBD, but now what? I am all about wearing a LBD, black pumps and pearls for a classic look, but sometimes that look needs to be traded in for something fun and festive. I'm not a huge statement necklace person, I just never really caught on to the trend, but the holidays are a perfect time to sport some sparkle with your LBD. I've rounded up 10 of my favorite statement necklaces that will pair perfectly with your LBD! What are your go-to statement necklaces?

If you haven't already, check out my gift guide; I'm including lots of sparkly statements perfect to give as a gift...or to keep for yourself ;). Have a fabulous day!

Some lovely blogger ladies have put together a hilariously genius concept: Blogger Bloopers. You know, it brings a little more 'reality' to blogging. We bloggers love to show off our best, obviously, but behind that there are about a million and one images that didn't make the cut for that outfit post. 99% of the photos I take are unusable... number one reason? My hair. Mac isn't very good at posing, either, I'm trying to train him ;). This new Tumblr page includes bloggers outtakes and the captions are hilarious. I've submitted several so go on over and check it out! Have a fabulous day!

Monday, November 25, 2013

Remember when I posted about this sweater? Well, it finally arrived and I just had to show it off because it's a steal of a deal and ahhhhdorable. Not to mention, it gave me an excuse to play in the leaves with Mac. When the temps dip even lower, I plan on throwing a navy quilted vest over top!

Scroll through to shop the post. Are you loving this sweater as much as me?! Have a fabulous day!

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Do you ever have those that are just so darn hard to buy for around the holidays or their birthday? Well, the foolproof gift, in my mind, is the pajama set from J. Crew (on sale). To top it off throw in the matching robe (on sale). It's timeless... whether the receiver is a fashionista, a nature lover, a sports player or whatever they may fancy, they will appreciate this pajama set. Oh and for the monogram lover, they are most definitely monogrammable. Have a fabulous day!

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Ralph Lauren is having a killer Thanksgiving sale right now. There are about a million and one things I would love from RL. I've picked some of my favorites!

We're also getting pretty darn close to Thanksgiving and if you haven't picked up a gift for the hostess, then look no further. Scroll through the above widget to see some last minute gifts that will be fit for the best of hostesses!

So what are you giving the hostess for Thanksgiving? Are you shopping the Ralph Lauren Thanksgiving sale? Have a fabulous day!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Someone on Tumblr requested that I post my favorite pairs of black boots under $200. This actually wasn't too hard. There are several pair of cute boots that I found and most are well under $200! Take a look by scrolling through the widget and let me know your favorite pair! Have a fabulous day!

I would say that, overall, I am an optimist. I always look on the brighter side of life and try to be thankful for every moment that I am alive.

Well... the other day I was having an awful day. Nothing was going right and I was feeling down which is really unlike me. As I was driving down the street, I stopped at a light and saw an older man who was walking with a cane (he was blind). I was stopped right outside of a hospital and realized he was probably going around the block for a walk. He was entirely bald and I am almost certain he was a patient of the hospital's.

Suddenly, I felt guilty for feeling so bad for myself. Here was a man who had no sight and was a hospital patient who looked like he was enjoying his walk, enjoying life. This instantly changed my outlook on life. Sometimes, I believe that God puts us in certain situations to help us appreciate our lives more or to see things in a different way... this was one of those moments.

Like many people, the holiday season is one of my absolute favorite times of year. I love the colors, the music, the gifts and being surrounded by loved ones. For me, it brings back warm memories from my childhood and makes me excited for the future. I also try to live in the moment because I know that these special times will be ones that I will remember all my life.

Besides being an optimist, I would consider myself a very wealthy person. Not the kind of wealth that is attained with money but the kind that you can only achieve when filled with love and happiness. I am so lucky to be surrounded by great friends and family and to spend the holidays at home with my healthy, happy family and friends.

But I also remember not everyone has it as good as I do. In a season somewhat focused on presents and consumerism, I try my hardest not to want (it's hard) but to feel blessed and thankful for what life has already given me.

I think it's important, not only this holiday season but every day of the year, to remember that not everyone is as lucky as you are. There are always going to be people who have it better, but there are so many who have it much worse.

With that in mind, go ahead and donate your time and money to charities and organizations, but even more so, I encourage everyone to really focus on being nice. Smile. Go out of your way to compliment someone, be thoughtful and caring. Say thank you, hold open a door, give someone a hug. People will notice and just being pleasant could change someone's day from bad to good. This holiday season it is a personal goal if mine to put the merry and bright in everyone's day! After all, it's the most wonderful time of the year! Have a fabulous day!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Thanksgiving is exactly one week away! I absolute love this time of year. I love being surrounded by family and friends, good food and a stiff cocktail. Plus, I am a sucker for the 'magic' of the season. I'm all about fair isle, cozy fires, giving gifts, Christmas carols and ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas. Seriously, Eloise at Christmas has already been played about a dozen times.

Thanksgiving at my house is pretty casual but I like to wear something a little more special than denim so I thought I'd wear the above ensemble. The colors are perfectly fall and the weather won't be too cold for the skirt... well, hopefully. What are you wearing for Thanksgiving? Have a fabulous day!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Basically Madewell is perfect. I used to think it was a little too hipster for my taste, but the more and more I pop into the store, the more I fall in love. Cozy sweaters, plaid flannel shirts, cute leather booties; what's not to like? I popped into the store to try some things on so Santa knows what size and what colors I want things in ;). (pants are Vineyard Vines and pumps are Ralph Lauren).

Scroll through for my favorite picks. What are your favorites? Have a fabulous day!